Stenciling machine



Aug. 15, 1939 J. c. sMrrH sTENcILING MACHINE Filed June 2l, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR.

Aug. 15, 1939y J. c. sMrrH sTENcILING MACHINE Filed June 2l, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 w A y INVENTOR.

k W/MZ ATTORNEY.

- Patented Aug. 15, 1939 STENUIIJN G MACHINE John C. Smith, Beaver, Pa., assigner to Solar Laboratories, Beaver, Pa., a corporation oi' Pennsylvania Appumion :une 21, 1991, serial No. 149,393 14 claim. (01191-129) This 'invention relates to stenciling apparatus,

andis particularly directed to apparatus for applying any sort of decoration or lettering to articles of glass and Vother ceramic ware. This type oi'y apparatus is designed to apply ceramic colors to the ware. After application to the ware the coloring materials are fired on the article. The

invention may be employed'in the lettering and decoration of other articles by the stenciling l0 method and by the use of materials other than ceramic colors, if desired.

More particularly, this invention is directed to a stenciling apparatus which is operative for decl oratingthe internal surfaces of ceramic ware,

other vessels of generally cylindrical shape. In

the application of the paint, or whatever printing or decorating material is used, to the internal surfaces of the ware, a number of problems arise.

It has been the object of the present invention to provide -an apparatus which overcomes these problems and enables uniform and rapid decoration of interior surfaces.

In the accomplishment of this object and as the result of the conception herein disclosed, the

apparatus of this invention has the following advantages: first, it is possible to interchange the work holding chucks to support any size or shape of hollow ware which it is desired to decorate;

' 30 second, it is possible to vary spacing of the chuck support and the stenciling unit support so as to provide for appropriate clearance for insertion and withdrawal of the stenciling device with respect to the work; third, the supports for the stenciling unit and the chuck are not only adjustable to different horizontal planes but are pivotally adjustable so as to enable the operator to axially align the stenciling unit and the chuck or the axis of the work, making-it possible to accurately place an arcuate stenciling screen with respect to the cylindrical inner surface of the Work; fourth, provision is made for moving the vsqueegee 'to an operative position on the screen when disposed within the hollow ware, movement of the squeegee to operative position and then operation of the squeegee to the screen being accomplished from a conveniently located knob at the outer end of the stenciling unit; fifth, it is arranged that the operator can move the stenciling head into the interior of the ware, holding the same rigidly in that position with one hand, while manipulating the squeegee with the other; sixth, adjustment is provided for varying the insertive movement of the stencil head and' fixing 55 the limits of this movement so that a set of simisuch as glasses, cups, pitchers, vases, urns or any lar articles may be decorated uniformly and identically; seventh, an improved arrangement of the squeegee and the screen is provided for imprinting a clear and sharp design on the article; and, eighth, adjustment is provided for enabling the 5 operator to control the limits of swing of the squeegee.

Other objects and certain advantages will be more fully apparent from a description of the accompanying drawings in which: l0

Figure 1 is a side elevation of stenciling apparatus embodying the present invention, and showing the stenciling unitwithdrawn from the work preparatory to a stenciling operation.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the apparatus of l5 Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an end elevation of the machine.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary side elevation showing some parts in cross section and illustrating the first step in the operation of the machine, 20 the stenciling head being shown entering the article to be stenciled.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4, showing the squeegee or applicator in contact with the stencil during the stenciling operation.

Figure 6 is an enlarged sectional view taken on line 6 6, of Figure 2 but showing the apparatus in the same position as Figure 5.

Figure '7 is a sectional View taken on line I--I, Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken on line 8-8 of Figure 6.

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken on line 9 9, Figure 6.

Described in general, the apparatus comprises 35 a supporting structure or base, including standards, a chuck unit mounted on one standard, and a stenciling unit mounted on the other standard. The chuck and stenciling units are adjustable for alignment of the article and stencil, and for o manipulation of the squeegee relative to the stencil.

The base is indicated at I0 and consists of a bar or body portion having a pair of laterally spaced legs II at each end. The two standards 45 I2 and I3 are mounted in slide blocks Il and I5, each block being formed to slidingly engage an upper longitudinal dovetail portion I6 of the rail I1 of the base I. Each standard is in this manner adjustably secured to the base-- rail for permitting longitudinal shifting of the two standards in order to accommodate various sizes of work. Each slide block is secured in adjusted position by means of a bolt I8 traversing the slot I9 formed centrally along the rail; 55

The standard or column i2 supports the stenciling unit on a pivot bearing. The pivot bearing consists of a bracket 2l secured at the top of the support standard. A sleeve 22 is lmounted on the bracket by means of a pivot bolt 23 which is screw-threaded into an ear 24 of the bracket 2l and traverses an ear 2li formed integrally with the sleeve 22. The screw projects through both ears and is locked in` place by a nut 23a. This arrangement permits the pivot bolt to be adiusted for varying the frictional nt at the `pivotal connection whereby the stenciling apparatus will remain in any set position against displacement during stenciling and, at the same time, will be pivotally adjustable without too great edort.

The sleeve 22 slidably journals a tube 26 which forms the main operating arm of the machine. The tube carries an operating knob 21 and a stenciling head 28 at the opposite ends thereof. This tube is journalled in the pivotal support bearing medially of the tube length and is adapted to be rocked in an arc about the axis of the pivot bearing. In addition, the support sleeve permits longitudinal shifting of the tubular shaft or arm. By shifting the assembly axially in the sleeve 22 the operator may properly insert the stenciling head into the work, such as a cup, for the stenciling operation.

The stenciling head 28 carries a stencil screen 23 and a squeegee or applicator Iii mounted in operating relation to each other. The stencil consists of a sheet or membrane having design areas, as at 3|, through which the paint or ceramic coloring matter may pass. Since this membrane is of fine mesh silk;` the stencil is commonly known as a silk screen stencil. The squeegee operates to force coloring matter through the design on the stencil by a wiping action, the co'oring matter being deposited on the surface to be decorated. The membrane is stretched on a frame 32 which is carried on an arm 33 extending from the circular head 34. The arm is fastened to the head by screws 35, and the stencil frame is attached to the arm by screws for convenient removal or replacement. 1

The stencil frame 32 is shaped to conform with the inner surface of the object to be stenciled, and, as illustrated in the drawings, is arcuate to correspond with the cylindrical interior of a tea cup, which is selected as an example to illustrate the general class of work to which the machine is adapted.

The chuck unit 31 which supports the work consists of a scoop-like receptacle 38, fashioned of sheet metal in the form of a half cylinder and open at one end to permit entry of the 'stencil' and squeegee assembly. The diameter of the cylindrical section is the same as the outside diameter of the cylindrical article to be decorated. A lip or flange 39 is provided at the open end of the receptacle and projects angularly oi' the edge a sufficient distance inwardly to engage the edge of the work against displacement. It will be noted that the lip does not extend beyond the inner surface of the work, as this would interfere with proper operation of the stencil. There is, however, suiilcient purchase to confine the work rmly in the chuck.

Since the article being stenciled must be firmly supported and held in a fixed position during the stenciling operation, provision is made to ensure proper alignment in the receptacle. For this pad ordisc 4l issecured A the edge of the article.

at the closed end of the receptacle to engage the bottom of the article and thus provide a positive engagement of the article against the lip at the open end. The work receiving receptacle is secured to a stub shaft 4I projecting from the bore of a pivoted support bracket 42 and held therein by means of a setscrew 42. The stub shaft is provided with a head 44 to which the end wall 45 of the receptacle is secured. Fastening is effected by the screws 4B which pass through the head and the end wall of the receptacle and engage in the abutment plate, thus fastening the three parts rigidly together.

The support bhacket 42 for the chuck unit is fixed at the top of the column or standard I3 as previously mentioned. The bracket is of twopiece construction, consisting of the sleeve bracket 42 in which the chuck unit is secured and a collar fitting 42a secured at the top of the column or standard. The two parts are fastened together by a bolt 41 traversing a pair of ears 41a and 41h, each ear respectively being a part of the' collar 42a and the sleeve 42. The bolt is in screw-threaded engagement in the ear 41h and functions to draw the two parts tightly together to frictionally hold the sleeve bracket in any selected angular position and yet permit the chuck to be adjusted angularly in order to secure proper alignment of the work surface relative to the stencil.

As previously described, the main operating arm 26 of the stenciling unit is pivoted yon. its support standard. In setting up the machine for decorating a given style of ware, the chuck is adjusted angularly` on the support bracket so as to dispose the inner surface of the work in alignment with the stencil when the stencil is in place on the surface of the work. In other words, the chuck axis may be aligned with the axes of the hollow ware.

The mechanism of this invention is directed primarily to the decorating of the internal surfaces of articles of glass, metal, or ceramic materials; such as, cups, pitchers, vases, glasses, urns, and other vessels of general cylindrical design. The chuck may be of any convenient size or shape to accommodate the article to be decorated. The nature of the work is such that various arrangements of the chuck to suit the article to be stenciled may be provided. The chuck, as previously described, is readily removable from the support bracket to permit convenient interchangement. In the decorating of tea cups, the receptacle illustrated in the drawings is utilized and variations as to length are accommodated for by the installation of abutment plates of proper thicknesses to ilt the cup snugly in the receptacle-like chuck against the flange or lip at the open end.

In a stenciling operation of this nature, one of the problems arising is that of locating and holding the stencil within the periphery of the article at the proper location with respect to It is of utmost importance that the stencil be held motionless while the squeegee is operated, otherwise the insignia or design will be smudged or blurred. Moreover, since the machine is intended for use in decorating articles, such as sets of dinner ware, on a quantity production basis, uniformity in the quality and location of the design or insignia is important.

The above mentioned difficulties are overcome in the present device by the arrangement of the shiftable stenciling head and pivoted arm. In

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operating the machine the stenciling head is shifted longitudinally as a unit to dispose the stencil in the interior of the vessel to be decorated, as shown in the drawings Figuresi' and 4. As will be noted in Figure 4, the -arm or tube is shifted a suilicient distance to bring a stop collar 42 into abutment against the sleeve 22. The collar is adjustably fixed on the arm 29 by a set-screw 49 to permit adjustment for various lengths of articles. When the stop is fixed, movement into the duplicate articles to be decorated will always be the same and uniform spacing of the design for the cup edge is assured.

The radial position of the stencil in relation to the work is unchangeable due to the prevention of any rota-tive movement of the arm lor head. 'I'he armpis held against rotation by a spider-like arrangement consisting of a perpendicular rod 50, confined between a pair of rods and 52 projecting horizontally from the standard or column, (see Figure l). 'Ihe perpendicular rod projects from a collar 53 on the arm which is locked in place by a set-screw 54. The horizontal rods are stew-threaded into a block 55 which is secured on the column by a set screw 56. 'I'he stenciling unit is thus free to be rocked up or down for alignment with the work and to be moved in or out longitudinally for entry or withdrawal of the stencil with respect to the interior of the work.

'I'he head 29 of the stenciling unit is secured on the operatingfend of the arm 2 6 between a collar 51 and a nut 58, screw-threaded on the end of the arm. The head carries a circular track 59 on its inner face for cooperation with a roller 59a in connection with the squeegee operating mechanism. The squeegee 39 is mounted and actuated by means of a bell crank lever 90.

lThe squeegee is pivotally secured on the outer end of one of the arms 6i of the bell crank lever while its opposite arm carries the roller 59a which cooperates with the track 59. 'I'he bell crank lever is pivoted at its fulcrum in a block ,52, slotted as at 63 to receive the lever, the block being secured on the end of a shaft 9G. The shaft 64 is carried internally of the tubular operating arm 26 and is adapted for lateral yand rotative movement for actuating the squeegee.

I'he opposite end of the shaft 6l projects slightly beyond the end of the tubular arm 26 of the stenciling unit, and carries the manipulating knob 21 for operating the squeegee. The knob is fastened to the shaft by means of a set screw 66 and carries a stop pin 51 projecting parallel with the shaft between a pair of limit pins 99 and 68a for limiting the rotative movement of the knob.

The limit pins consist of stub screws, each screw-threaded into collars 69 and 10. The collars are secured on' the end of the tubular arm and are locked in place by the stub screws, which project through the collar against the tubular arm. The purpose of this arrangement is to limit the scraping stroke of the squeegee across the stencil. As shown in Figure 9, the two screws 98 and 68a project radially from the arm, and the stop pin 61 operates in an arc between the two, limit screws. This' arrangement permits convenient adjustment as to the lengthof stroke of the squeegee.

As shown in Figures 1 and 4, the squeegee or applicator is normally poised abovek the surface of the stencil. The bell crank. lever assumes a canted position under the influence of a fiat ,spring 1I which is fastened to the bifurcated block 92 by means of a screw as at 12. The canting of the bell crank lever under spring tension is limited by the roller 59a, which is located at the upper end of the perpendicular arm in a slot 19, and journalled on a screw as at 1I.l This lroller 59 provides a rolling contact with the track 59 as the squeegee 'is swung across the stencil.

It will be noted from -this arrangement, as shown in Figures i and 4, that the squeegee and stencil assembly provides a compact unit for convenient entry into the interior of the article to be decorated. The arrangement is such that any difficulty as to access to the interior of the article is obviated; for the squeegee is actuated, both as to pressure and 'wiping action, by the manipulating knob at the outer end of the operating arm.

'I'he squeegee is mounted on the horizontal arm oi the bell crank lever by means of a wing nut traversing a slot 19, to provide adjustment as to location with respect to the stencil. The supporting members for the squeegee consist of a pair of parallel rectangular plates 11 and 19, projecting. downwardly at right angles .to the arm. In order to secure perfect contact with the stencil, a squeegee block 19 is pivoted between the above-mentioned carrier plates on a pivot pin 80., The wedge-shaped rubber squeegee blade 8| is secured in a slot at the lower side of this block.

Referring to Figures 5, 6, and 8, the actuation o f the squeegee by means of the manipulating knob is clearly illustrated'. In operating the device, the operator grasps the main operating arm with one hand in order to keep the abutment collar 48 against the sleeve 22, and rocks the arm slightly on the pivot bracket 2| in order to bring the stencil frame into. contact with the work surface. The manipulating knob is now drawn rearwardly and this rearward motion is transmitted to the operating shaft and to the bifurcatedA block 62. I'he bell crank lever 60, being pivoted in this block, is moved bodily rearwardly. The upper end of the perpendicular arm of the bell crank lever is restrained against rearward motion by contact of the roller 59a with the track 59. The result of the rearward movement of the bell crank at its fulcrum point tips the bell crank lever downwardly against the tension of the spring 1I, and thus into contact with the stencil.

' The stencil frame is spaced slightly away from the Work surface because of the thickness of the supporting arm 33 disposed between the stencil frame and the work surface. Downward pressure on the stencil membrane by the wiping edge of the squeegee deiiects the membrane so'that there is contact of the membrane with the work surface only along the line of the squeegee as shown in Figure 8. This condition assures that the stencil is presented to the work surface in a line contact as the squeegee traverses the stencil in its wiping path. The deflection of the stencil from its normal plane along this line provides clearance on both sides of the contacting portion, permitting the stencil to move in and out of contact with the work in a direct line. As there is no circumferential movement of the stencil, the stencil merely moves down and contacts the work surface under the influence of the squeegee, thereafter moving away when released in a direct line, due to the resiliency of the stencil material, and resulting in a clear-cut print.

The stencil membrane is made of silk and the y process is whatds 'generally knownas the silk membrane screen method. It is particularly adapted to the decoration of plane surfaces andsurfaces which are generally regular in their configuration. The

has design areas of a series or plurality of related perforations defined by a coating which renders the non-designed areas impervious to the coloring matter. The coloringmatter may be ink, paint, or other suitable material, and is` applied to the surface of the membrane so as to be forced through the perforations of the design areas by the action of the wedge-shaped wiping edge of the squeegee as it is moved across the stencil.

The wiping action of the squeegee is effected by rotation of the manipulating knob at the opposite end of the shaft 6l. As previously stated, the rotation of the knob is limited by the limit pins and the stop pin on the knob. vAs the knob is rotated. the motion is transmitted to the bell crank by means of the bifurcated block to which the bell crank is attached. The operating shaft for the squeegee is on the same center as the cylindrical object being stenciled. Consequently, the squeegee moves in an arc of the same radius as the interior surface of the object being stenoiled.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A stenciling apparatus comprising, a chuck for supporting hollow ware and a stenciling unit adjustably mounted for insertion into said hollow ware, said stenciling unit including a screen, a squeegee, and means for operating the squeegee relative to the screen.

2. A stenciling apparatus comprising, a chuck for supporting hollow ware such as a cup, a stenciling unit, means adjustably supporting said chuck and stenciling unit independently of each other for axial alignment, said stenciling unit incorporating an axially shiftable stencil screen having a curvature fitting the interior of the hollow ware, and a squeegee carried by said axially movable element, and means for moving the squeegee against the screen and for 4rotating the squeegee for decorating the interior of the hollow ware.

3. A stenciling apparatus comprising, means for supporting hollow ware such as a cup, stenciling means, said stenciling means incorporating 'a stencil screen having a curvature fitting the interior of the hollow ware, and means carried by said stenciling means for printing through said screen for decorating the interior of the hollow ware.

4. A stenciling apparatus comprising, means for supporting hollow ware, a stenciling unit insertable in said hollow ware, said stenciling unit incorporating a movable member carrying a stencil screen and a squeegee whereby the stencil screen and the squeegee may be inserted in the hollow ware and decoration applied to the interior thereof.

5. Apparatus for stenciling concave surfaces. comprising, means for supporting an object having a concave surface, a stenciling unit adapted to be moved into position adjacent said concave surface, said stenciling unit incorporating an arcuate stencil screen having a curvature tting the concave surface, and a squeegee movable across the screen for decorating the concave surface.

46. A stenciling apparatus comprising, means for supporting hollow warea stenciling unit adjustabiy mounted for insertion into said hollow ware, means for holding the unit in position in the hollow ware, said stenciling unit including .a screen, a squeegee, and means independent of the first holding means for operating the squeegee relative to the screen.

7. A stenciling apparatus comprising, a chuck for supporting hollow ware, a stenciling apparatus consisting of a tubular support, means for supporting said tubular support in alignment with the axis of the hollow ware, and a stencil screen, said screen supported on said tubular support,

means for moving the tubular support axially for moving said screen into the hollow ware, a shaft extending through said tubular support and rotatably and translatably mounted therein, said shaft carrying a squeegee adjacent to said stencil screen, means for moving said squeegee into contact with the stencil screen and for rotating the same for decorating the interior of the hollow ware.

8. A stenciling apparatus comprising, a base, a chuck mounted on said base, a stenciling unit mounted on said base, said chuck and stenciling unit adjustable with respect to each other for alignment thereof, and said chuck adapted to support hollow ware with the opening of the hollow ware disposed toward the stenciling unit, whereby said stenciling unit may be inserted in the hollow ware and decoration applied to the interior thereof.

9. A stenciling apparatus comprising, a base, standards mounted on said base for adjustment toward and from each other, a chuck pivotally mounted on one of said standards, a stenciling unit pivotally mounted on the other of said standards, the axes of said stenciling unit and said chuck alignable by movement on the pivots, said chuck adapted to support hollow ware with the opening of the hollow ware disposed toward the stenciling unit, and said stenciling unit incorporating an axially movable 'member carrying a stencil screen and a squeegee, whereby the stencil screen and the squeegee may be inserted in the hollow ware and decoration applied to the interior thereof.

10. stenciling apparatus comprising, support means, including a cradle for receiving and supporting hollow ware in fixed position. stenciling means adjustably mounted for insertion in said hollow ware and operable for decorating the interior thereof, and means adjustably supporting said support means and stenciling means for varying the spacing of these means.

l1. A stenciling apparatus comprising, means for supporting hollow ware, a tubular support, means for supporting said tubular support in alignment with the axis of the hollow ware, a stenciling screen, said screen mounted on said tube, means for moving the tubular support axially, a shaft extending through said tubular support rotatably and translatably mounted therein, said shaft pivotally carrying a squeegee at one end adjacent to said stencil screen, means for rocking said squeegee into contact with the stencil screen by translation of said shaft, for rotating the same to decorate the interior of hollow ware.

12. A stenciling apparatus comprising, a base, standards longitudinally adjustably mounted on the base, a chuck mounted on one standard and projecting toward the other, a stenciling unit on the other standard including a tubular support carrying a stencil screen and adapted to be axially aligned with hollow ware supported in the chuck, said stencil screen of arcuate form for fitting the interior of the hollow ware an axially and rotatably mounted shaft in said tubular support, a squeegee pivotally mounted on the inner end of said shaft, a spring for normally maintaining said squeegee out of engagement with the stencil screen, said squeegee including means in contact with the tubular support whereby upon movement of the shaft away from the chuck.' the squeegee is moved into contact with the stencil screen, and upon rotation dlsplaces the paint through the screen for decorating the interior surface of the hollow ware.

13. A stenciling apparatus comprising, a chuck. a tubular support carrying a stencil screen and adapted to be axially aligned with hollow ware supported in the chuck, said stencil screen fitting the interior of the hollow ware, an axially and rotatably mounted shaft in said tubular support. a squeegee pivotally mounted on the inner end of said shaft, means for normally maintaining said squeegee out of engagement with the stencil screen. said squeegee including means in contact with the tubular support whereby upon movement oi the shaft away from the chuck the squeegee is moved into contact with the stencil screen and upon rotation displaces the paint through the screen for decorating the interior surface of the hollow ware Y 14. In an apparatus for interiorly'decorating hollow ware, a holder for the hollow ware, a stencil decoration applicator unitarily constituting a relatively movable screen for the transfer of the decoration to the interior surface of the hollow ware, and a squeegee to effect the transfer, said holder and applicator movable relatively for insertion of the screen and squeegee within the hollow ware.

`JOHN C. SMITH. 

